A game-changer in modern music, Kanye West has redefined hip-hop with his bold creativity and unique sound.
With hit albums like The College Dropout, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, and Donda, he has dominated the charts and won multiple Grammy Awards.
His influence and record-breaking success have made him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
About the Song
“Through the Wire” is a song that tells his personal story of recovery after a near-fatal car accident. He recorded it while his jaw was still wired shut, making it a powerful and emotional track.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Released Date | September 30, 2003 |
| Album | The College Dropout (I’m Good ) |
| Writers | David Foster, Tom Keane & Cynthia Weil. |
| Producers | Kanye West. |
Through the Wire Lyrics by Kanye West
Intro: Kanye West, Chaka Khan
(Through the test of time)
Yo, G, they can’t stop me from rappin’, can they?
Can they, Hop?
Chorus: Chaka Khan
Through the fire, to the limit, to the wall
For a chance to be with you, I’d gladly risk it all
Through the fire, through whatever, come what may
For a chance at loving you, I’d take it all the way
Right down to the wire, even through the fire
Post-Chorus
I spit it through the wire, man
There’s too much stuff on my heart right now, man
I’d gladly risk it all right now
It’s a life-or-death situation, man
Y’all, y’all don’t really understand how I feel right now, man
It’s your boy, Kanye to the…
Chi-Town, what’s goin’ on?
Uh-huh, yeah, yeah
Verse 1
I drink a Boost for breakfast, an Ensure for dessert
Somebody ordered pancakes, I just sip the sizzurp
That right there could drive a sane man berserk
Not to worry, Mr. H-to-the-Izzo’s back to wizzerk
How do you console my mom or give her light support
Tellin’ her her son’s on life support?
And just imagine how my girl feel
On the plane scared as hell that her guy look like Emmett Till
She was with me before the deal, she’d been tryna be mine
She a Delta, so she’d been throwin’ that Dynasty sign
No use in me tryna be lyin’, I been tryna be signed
Tryin’ to be a millionaire, how I used two lifelines
In the same hospital where Biggie Smalls died
The doctor said I had blood clots, but I ain’t Jamaican, man
Story on MTV and I ain’t tryna make a band
I swear, this, right here, history in the makin’, man
Chorus: Chaka Khan
Through the fire, to the limit, to the wall
For a chance to be with you, I’d gladly risk it all
Through the fire, through whatever, come what may
For a chance at loving you, I’d take it all the way
Right down to the wire, even through the fire
Post-Chorus
I really apologize for everything right now
If it’s unclear at all, man
They got my mouth wired shut
For like… I dunno, the doctor said like six weeks
Y’know, he had, I had reconstructive surgery on my jaw
I looked in the mirror
And half my jaw was in the back of my mouth, man
I couldn’t believe it
But I’m still here for y’all right now, man
This what I got to say right here, dawg
Yeah, turn me up, yeah, uh
Verse 2
What if somebody from the Chi’ that was ill got a deal
On the hottest rap label around?
But he wasn’t talkin’ ’bout coke and birds
It was more like spoken word, ‘cept he’s really puttin’ it down?
And he explained the story ’bout how Blacks came from glory
And what we need to do in the game
Good dude, bad night, right place, wrong time
In the blink of a eye, his whole life changed
If you could feel how my face felt
You would know how Mase felt (Mason Betha!)
Thank God I ain’t too cool for the safe belt
I swear to God, driver two wanna sue
I got a lawyer for the case, to keep what’s in my safe safe
My dawgs couldn’t tell if I…
I looked like Tom Cruise in Vanilla Sky, it was televised
There’s been an accident like GEICO
They thought I was burnt up like Pepsi did Michael
I must got a angel, ‘cause look how death missed his ass
Unbreakable, what, you thought they’d call me Mr. Glass?
Look back on my life like the Ghost of Christmas Past
Toys “R” Us where I used to spend that Christmas cash
And I still won’t grow up, I’m a grown-ass kid
Swear I should be locked up for stupid shit that I did
But I’m a champion, so I turned tragedy to triumph
Make music that’s fire, spit my soul through the wire
Chorus: Chaka Khan
Through the fire, to the limit, to the wall
For a chance to be with you, I’d gladly risk it all
Through the fire, through whatever, come what may
For a chance at loving you, I’d take it all the way
Right down to the wire, even through the fire
Outro
Y’know, what I’m sayin’?
When the doctor told me I had, um
That I was gonna have to have a plate in my chin
I said, “Dawg, don’t you realize I’ll never make it on a plane now?”
“It’s bad enough I got all this jewelry on!”
You can’t be serious, man
Similar Songs Like Through the Wire
Here are similar songs to “Through the Wire” by Kanye West, featuring his signature soulful production, personal storytelling, and early hip-hop style:
- “Family Business“: It is a heartfelt song with a soulful beat, where Kanye reflects on family, memories, and personal struggles. It is warm and nostalgic, similar to “Through the Wire.”
- “Last Call“: A deeply personal track where Kanye tells the story of his journey to becoming a rapper. It features soulful production and reflective lyrics like “Through the Wire.”
- “Never Let Me Down“: Featuring Jay-Z, this song mixes motivational lyrics with Kanye’s signature soul-sample production, highlighting themes of perseverance and self-belief.
- “Hey Mama“: This song is a touching tribute to Kanye’s mother; it carries emotional depth, smooth production, and heartfelt lyrics, making it one of his most personal tracks.
- “Roses“: A powerful, emotional song where Kanye raps about his grandmother’s hospitalization, blending soulful beats with deeply personal storytelling.
Awards for The Song
Here are some of the notable awards the song earned:
| Award | Year | Category |
|---|---|---|
| The Source Awards | 2004 | Best Music Video |
| Grammy Awards | 2005 | Best Rap Album (The College Dropout) |
Similar Artists Like Kanye West
Check out some similar artists to Kanye West, along with their genres and significant works:
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Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap, Alternative
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Notable Album: Good Kid, M.A.A.D City - Travis Scott
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Behind The Scenes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Through the Wire a True Story?
Yes, It Recounts Kanye West’s Real-Life Experience of Recovering from A Near-Fatal Car Accident in 2002 with His Jaw Wired Shut During Recording.
What did Kanye Sample in Through the Wire?
Kanye Sampled Chaka Khan’s 1985 Single “through the Fire,” Which Inspired the Title and Musical Elements of The Song.
What is the Through the Wire Controversy?
Chaka Khan later criticized the sample, unhappy with how her voice was altered.
